Locking quick connect assembly

ABSTRACT

A locking quick connect assembly is provided for removably coupling a first tube and a second tube. A quick connect housing presents a central bore for receiving the second tube. A redundant latch component positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position may be provided to slidingly engage the quick connect housing. A twist lock retainer surrounds the quick connect housing and the redundant latch component. The redundant latch component includes an axially extending redundant latch retaining arm and the twist lock retainer includes a locking channel for receiving the redundant latch retaining arm. The twist lock retainer also includes a twist lock retaining arm that locks against a bead of the second tube to resists separation. The twist lock retaining arm extends perpendicularly to and radially inwardly of the locking channel to interleavingly engage the redundant latch retaining arm thus preventing unwanted decoupling of the assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to locking quick connect assemblies forremovably coupling a first tube and a second tube and more particularlyto automotive style locking quick connect assemblies which may include aredundant lock.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Locking quick connect assemblies are well known in the art for removablycoupling a first tube and a second tube. Locking quick connectassemblies are widely utilized in the automotive industry to removablycouple the fluid lines of an automobile such as the fuel lines, brakelines, oil lines, water lines, hydraulic lines, air lines, and the like.Automobiles are typically assembled on moving assembly lines wheresubassemblies are installed at various locations along the line.Accordingly, locking quick connect assemblies are advantageous becausethey allow assembly line workers to quickly and easily connect fluidlines leading to and away from the various subassemblies as theautomobile travels along the assembly line. Additionally, since lockingquick connect assemblies may be decoupled at a later time, service andrepair of the automobile can be accomplished more easily becausecomponents are more readily removed and replaced.

The locking quick connect assemblies known in the art, such as the onedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,716 to Szabo et al., entitled “QuickConnector with Snap-on Retainer,” generally include a quick connecthousing having a male retention segment for engagement with the firsttube and a female segment for receiving the second tube. It should beappreciated that in the automotive industry, the second tube is oftenreferred to as an SAE pin and includes a bead extending annularly aboutthe second tube. The male retention segment of the quick connect housingtypically has a tubular shape for engagement with the first tube. Themale retention segment may further present a plurality of annular barbsincluding several retention barbs being axially spaced and ramped up toa greater radial diameter to facilitate insertion of the male retentionsegment into the first tube and to resist subsequent separation betweenthe first tube and the male retention segment. The female segment of thequick connect housing typically extends axially away from the maleretention segment and has an interior surface defining a central borefor receiving the second tube. The interior surface of the femalesegment may include stepped portions for engaging the bead of the secondtube and for receiving seals that engage the interior surface of thefemale segment and the second tube.

As is known in the art, a redundant lock mechanism may be desirable incertain applications to ensure that the locking quick connect assemblydoes not decouple unintentionally. The redundant lock mechanismtypically takes the form of a clip that is inserted into an opening inthe female segment of the quick connect housing. As it is inserted, theclip engages the bead of the second tube to prevent separation of thesecond tube and the quick connect housing. Often, this redundant lockmechanism or clip is a physically separate part that is not attached tothe quick connect housing. Thus, several problems arise. The separateclip may be lost before installation occurs or when the locking quickconnect assembly is decoupled during service or repair operations. Theseparate clip may also be difficult to insert into the opening in thequick connect housing in blind installation situations where the quickconnect assembly may be felt but not seen. To address these problems,locking quick connect assemblies have been developed, such as the onedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,724 to Wiethorn, entitled “SecondaryLatch and Indicator for Fluid Coupling,” where the clip is attached tothe quick connect housing by a hinge. These locking quick connectassemblies however still suffer from several problems. The hinged cliptends to break off either before installation occurs or when the lockingquick connect assembly is decoupled during service or repair operations.Also, regardless of whether the clip is attached to the quick connecthousing or is a separate part, such clips tend to be difficult to removeonce installed and may even require tools for removal. This can beespecially problematic in blind installation situations where use oftools is difficult or where there is little room to manipulate thelocking quick connect assembly. What is needed is a locking quickconnect assembly that is more durable, does not contain a loose clipcomponent, and can be more easily decoupled.

The Applicant has appreciated that a twist lock mechanism would meetthese needs. However, it was found that the twist lock mechanisms knownin the art could not be easily adapted to this style of quick connectassembly. The twist lock mechanisms known in the art, such as the onedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,079 to Callahan et al., entitled “DuctCoupling,” serve to removably couple a pair of ducts in an end-buttingarrangement. However, the twist lock mechanism disclosed is notconfigured to receive a second tube, such as an SAE pin, and lockagainst the bead of the second tube to prevent separation between thesecond tube and the quick connect housing. Accordingly, known twist lockmechanisms do not function to lock in a single motion wherein the secondtube is laterally advanced with respect to the quick connect housing.Moreover, prior art twist lock mechanisms can be prone to undesireddecoupling where the twist lock mechanism experiences unwanted rotationto its unlocked position. Accordingly, what is needed is a cliplesslocking quick connect assembly that is durable, has a simple lockingmotion, unlocks easily and without tools, and which may include aredundant lock that prevents unwanted unlocking of the twist lockmechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a locking quick connectassembly is provided for removably coupling a first tube and a secondtube. The locking quick connect assembly includes a quick connecthousing having a male retention segment for engagement with the firsttube and a female segment for receiving the second tube. The femalesegment extends axially from the male retention segment and presents acentral bore for receiving the second tube. The female segment alsoincludes a twist lock retainer arm window. The locking quick connectassembly may further include a redundant latch component positionablebetween an unlocked position and a locked position with the redundantlatch component being in sliding engagement with the female segment. Atwist lock retainer is disposed radially outwardly of and surrounds atleast a portion of the female segment and at least a portion of theredundant latch component. The redundant latch component includes aredundant latch retaining arm extending axially with respect to thefemale segment and the twist lock retainer includes a locking channelfor receiving the redundant latch retaining arm.

The twist lock retainer also includes a twist lock retaining armarranged perpendicularly to the locking channel. The twist lockretaining arm extends radially inwardly of the locking channel to engagethe twist lock retainer arm window of the female segment. The twist lockretaining arm also provides interleaving engagement with the redundantlatch retaining arm as the redundant latch retaining arm is received inthe locking channel and the redundant latch component is advanced to thelocked position. Accordingly, this configuration is advantageous overprior art quick connect assemblies because unwanted release of the twistlock retaining arm from the twist lock retaining window is prevented bythe interleaving engagement of the redundant latch retaining arm.

According to another aspect of the invention, the female segment of thelocking quick connect assembly has a proximal end adjacent the maleretention segment and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The twistlock retaining arm includes an inside face being ramped up in an axialdirection to a greater radial thickness toward the proximal end of thefemale segment to facilitate insertion of the second tube into thecentral bore of the female segment. Additionally, the inside face of thetwist lock retaining arm locks against the bead of the second tube andresists subsequent separation between the second tube and the quickconnect housing.

Advantageously, this allows the locking quick connect assembly to beinstalled in one simple motion. That is, the locking quick connectassembly removably couples the second tube and the quick connect housingby simply advancing the second tube into the central bore of the quickconnect housing until the bead of the second tube passes the twist lockretaining arm and the redundant latch component is advanced into thelocked position. This operation only requires simple lateral movementbetween the second tube and the quick connect housing where the secondtube and the quick connect housing are pushed towards one another.

Another added benefit is that two audible and/or tactile clicks occurduring the installation process providing an indication that the lockingquick connect assembly has been properly installed. These clicks occursequentially with the first click occurring when the twist lockretaining arm snaps over the bead of the second tube and the secondclick occurring when the redundant latch component is advanced all theway into its locked position. Unlocking or decoupling the quick connectassembly is equally simple and tool free. To unlock, the redundant latchcomponent is pulled laterally to its unlocked position and the twistlock retainer is rotated or twisted to release the twist lock retainingarm. Accordingly, the locking quick connect assembly of the presentinvention is particularly well suit for blind installation situationsand it should be appreciated that a separate clip component iseliminated.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the locking quickconnect assembly may be optionally provided without the redundant latchcomponent. The locking quick connect assembly thus includes a quickconnect housing having a male retention segment for engagement with afirst tube and a female segment for receiving a second tube. The femalesegment extends axially from the male retention segment and has aproximal end adjacent the male retention segment and a distal endopposite the proximal end. The female segment also presents a centralbore for receiving the second tube. A twist lock retainer is disposedradially outwardly of and surrounds at least a portion of the femalesegment and the female segment additionally includes a twist lockretainer arm window extending entirely through the female segment. Thetwist lock retainer includes at least one twist lock retaining armextending circumferentially about a portion of the twist lock retainer.At the same time, the twist lock retainer arm extends radially inwardlywith respect to the twist lock retainer to engage the twist lockretainer arm window of the female segment. The twist lock retaining armincludes an inside face being ramped up in an axial direction to agreater radial thickness toward the proximal end of the female segmentto facilitate insertion of the second tube into the central cavity ofthe female segment. The twist lock retaining arm also locks against abead of the second tube to resist subsequent separation between thesecond tube and the quick connect housing.

Advantageously, the locking quick connect assembly of the presentinvention addresses the above noted problems with known quick connectassemblies. The locking quick connect assembly disclosed also providescustomers with a choice between a locking quick connect assembly thatincludes a redundant lock and one that does not. Depending on theapplication and intended use, a redundant locking quick connect assemblymay not be necessary and it may be advantageous to employ a lockingquick connector assembly having the flexibility of reduced cost andcomplexity

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of an exemplary locking quickconnect assembly of the present invention illustrated complete with aredundant latch component;

FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view of an exemplary locking quickconnect assembly of the present invention illustrated without aredundant latch component;

FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of an exemplary locking quickconnect assembly of the present invention illustrated in an unlockedposition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an exemplary lockingquick connect assembly of the present invention illustrated in anunlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective elevational view of an exemplary locking quickconnect assembly of the present invention illustrated in a lockedposition; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an exemplary lockingquick connect assembly of the present invention illustrated in a lockedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a locking quick connect assembly 20for removably coupling a first tube 22 and a second tube 24 isdisclosed.

In a variety of different applications, it is desirable to removablycouple a first tube 22 to a second tube 24 such that fluid may becommunicated through the connector assembly. Without intending to belimited to a specific application, an exemplary application is in theautomotive industry where a quick connect assembly 20 is desirable tofacilitate automobile assembly and repair operations. In thisapplication, the first tube 22 and second tube 24 are often made of anextruded plastic material and are used to communicate fluids associatedwith the operation of an automobile. The second tube 24, sometimesreferred to as an SAE pin, typically includes a bead 26 that extendsannularly about the second tube 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the quick connect assembly 20 disclosedincludes a quick connect housing 28. While the quick connect housing 28may be made from a variety of different materials, one such material maybe an injection molded polymer. The quick connect housing 28 presents amale retention segment 30 of tubular shape for engagement with the firsttube 22. Specifically, the male retention segment 30 has a distal end 32for insertion into the first tube 22 and a proximal end 34 opposite thedistal end 32. The male retention segment 30 of the quick connecthousing 28 also includes a plurality of annular barbs 36, 38 extendingradially about the male retention segment 30 for providing engagement ofthe first tube 22. The plurality of annular barbs 36, 38 includes a pairof sealing barbs 36 proximate to the distal end 32 of the male retentionsegment 30 and a pair of retention barbs 38 disposed between theproximal end 34 of the male retention segment 30 and the pair of sealingbarbs 36.

The pair of sealing barbs 36 are axially spaced from one another andramped in opposite directions to present a seal channel 40 therebetween.Accordingly, each sealing barb 36 of the pair of sealing barbs 36 has agreatest radial diameter immediately adjacent the seal channel 40. Abarb seal 42 is disposed in the seal channel 40 of the male engagementsegment to provide sealing engagement as the first tube 22 is pressedover the male engagement segment of the quick connect assembly 20. Thebarb seal 42 may be, but is not limited to, an elastomeric o-ring.

The pair retention barbs 38 are axially spaced from one another. Eachretention barb 38 of the pair retention barbs 38 is ramped up to agreater radial diameter proximate, or closer, to the proximal end 34 ofthe male retention segment 30 to facilitate insertion of the maleretention segment 30 into the first tube 22 and to resist subsequentseparation between the first tube 22 and the male retention segment 30of the quick connect housing 28. In other words, the pair of retentionbarbs 38 are ramped up in the direction the male retention segment 30 ofthe quick connect housing 28 is inserted into the first tube 22.

The quick connect housing 28 also includes a female segment 44 thatextends axially away from the male retention segment 30. Accordingly,the male retention segment 30 and the female segment 44 of the quickconnect housing 28 are co-axially aligned. A flange 46 located betweenthe male retention segment 30 and the female segment extends annularlyabout 50 the quick connect housing 28. The female segment 44 of thequick connect housing 28 includes a proximal end 48 adjacent the flange46 and a distal end 50 opposite the flange 46. The female segment 44 hasa tubular shape with an exterior surface 52 and an interior surface 54opposite the exterior surface 52.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the interior surface 54 of the femalesegment 44 defines a central bore 56 for receiving the second tube 24.More specifically, the interior surface 54 of the female segment 44includes a first step portion 58 adjacent the distal end 50 of thefemale segment 44 and a second step portion 60 adjacent the first stepportion 58 and closer to the proximal end 48 of the female segment 44.The first step portion 58 has a predetermined diameter and the secondstep portion 60 has a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameterof the first step portion 58. The interior surface 54 of the femalesegment 44 also includes a transition portion 62 adjacent the proximalend 48 of the female segment 44 where the female segment 44 transitionsto the male retention segment 30. In other words, moving from the distalend 50 of the female segment 44 to the proximal end 48 of the femalesegment 44, the larger diameter first step portion 58 gives way to thesmaller diameter second step portion 60 which gives way to thetransition portion 62.

An inner seal 64 is disposed in the second step portion 60 of thecentral bore 56 proximate to the proximal end 48 of the female segment44 to provide sealing engagement as the second tube 24 is received inthe central bore 56. An inner seal spacer 66 is disposed in the secondstep portion 60 of the central bore 56 adjacent the inner seal 64 andcloser to the distal end 50 of the female segment 44 than the inner seal64. While the inner seal spacer 66 can be made of a variety ofmaterials, one such material may be an injection molded polymer. Anouter seal 68 is also disposed in the second step portion 60 of thecentral bore 56 adjacent the seal spacer and closer to the distal end 48of the female segment 44 than the inner seal spacer 66 to providesealing engagement when the second tube 24 is received in the centralbore 56. While the inner seal 64 and the outer seal 68 may be made of avariety of different materials and take many forms, the inner seal 64and the outer seal 68 may be an o-ring made of an elastomeric material.Accordingly, the inner seal spacer 66 is sandwiched in the second stepbetween the inner seal 64 and the outer seal 68 with the inner seal 64being closer to the proximal end 48 of the female segment 44 and theouter seal 68 being closer to the distal end 50 of the female segment44.

An outer seal spacer 70 is disposed in the first step portion 58 of thecentral bore 56 to abut the outer seal 68. The outer seal spacer 70includes an annular bead 72 protruding radially outwardly for engagementwith the interior surface 54 of the female segment 44 of the quickconnect housing 28. As the second tube 24 is received in the centralbore 56 of the female segment 44, the bead 26 of the second tube 24impacts the outer seal spacer 70. Accordingly, the outer seal spacer 70acts as a stop that prevent over insertion of the second tube 24 intothe central bore 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the quick connector assembly furtherincludes a twist lock retainer 74 and optionally a redundant latchcomponent 76. Generally, the twist lock retainer 74 functions to lockthe second tube 24 within the central bore 56 of the female segment 44of the quick connect housing 28. This prevents separation of the secondtube 24 from quick connect housing 28 and ultimately the first tube 22.In certain applications, the twist lock retainer 74 is all that isrequired to lock the second tube 24 within the central bore 56. Thisconfiguration is shown in FIG. 2. In other applications, a redundantlocking function may be desirable to ensure the coupling of the secondtube 24 and the quick connect assembly 20. This configuration is shownin FIG. 1. In these later applications, the redundant latch component 76is positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position toprovide a secondary or redundant locking function. While the twist lockretainer 74 and the redundant latch component 76 may be made of avariety of different materials, one such material may be an injectionmolded polymer.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the twist lock retainer 74 of the disclosedquick connect assembly 20 is disposed radially outwardly of andsurrounds at least a portion of the female segment 44 of the quickconnect housing 28. Where the redundant latch component 76 is added tothe quick connect assembly 20, the twist lock retainer 74 is alsodisposed radially outwardly of and surrounds and at least a portion ofthe redundant latch component 76. Further, the twist lock retainerextends axially from a proximal end 78 to a distal end 80. The distalend 80 of the twist lock retainer 74 may be axially aligned with thedistal end 50 of the female segment 44 of the quick connect housing 28such that the distal end 80 of the twist lock retainer 74 is flush withthe distal end 50 of the female segment 44 of the quick connect housing28.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the female segment 44 of the quickconnect housing 28 includes at least a first redundant latch retainerarm window 82 which may be a first pair of radially opposed redundantlatch retainer arm windows 82. The first pair of redundant latchretainer arm windows 82 may extend entirely through the female segment44 from the exterior surface 52 to the interior surface 54 with thefirst pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 82 being proximate tothe distal end 32 of the female segment 44. The female segment 44 of thequick connect housing 28 also includes at least a second redundant latchretainer arm window 84 which may be a second pair of radially opposedredundant latch retainer arm windows 84. The second pair of redundantlatch retainer arm windows 84 may extend entirely through the femalesegment 44 from the exterior surface 52 to the interior surface 54. Thesecond pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 84 are axiallyspaced between the proximal end 34 of the female segment 44 and thefirst pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 82. Additionally, atleast part of the second redundant latch retainer arm windows 84 areaxially aligned with the first redundant latch retainer arm windows 82.

The female segment 44 of the quick connect housing 28 also includes atleast one twist lock retainer arm window 86 which may be a pair ofradially opposed twist lock retainer arm windows 86. The pair of twistlock retainer arm windows 86 extend entirely through the female segment44 from the exterior surface 52 to the interior surface 54 and may becircumferentially spaced from the first pair of redundant retainer lockwindows 82 and the second pair of redundant retainer lock windows 84.

The redundant latch component 76 of the quick connect assembly 20includes an annular collar 88 in sliding engagement with the exteriorsurface 52 of the female segment 44 of the quick connect housing 28. Theredundant latch component 76 also includes at least a first redundantlatch retaining arm which may be a first pair of redundant latchretaining arms 90 being radially opposed and extending axially from theannular collar 88. The redundant latch component 76 may further includeat least one second redundant latch retaining arm which may be a secondpair of redundant latch retaining arms 92 being radially opposed andextending axially from the annular collar 88. When present, the secondpair of redundant latch retaining arms 92 may be circumferentiallyspaced from the first pair of redundant latch retaining arms 90.

The second pair of redundant latch retaining arms 92 may have inwardlyramped ends 94 for sequential engagement with the second pair ofredundant latch retainer arm windows 84 and the first pair of redundantlatch retainer arm windows 82. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the unlockedposition of the redundant latch component 76 may be defined where theinwardly ramped ends 94 of the second pair of redundant latch retainingarms 92 are engaged in the second pair of redundant latch retaining armwindows 84. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the locked position of theredundant latch component 76 may be defined where the inwardly rampedends 94 of the second pair of redundant latch retaining arms 92 areengaged in the first pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 82. Itshould also be appreciated that in the unlocked position, the annularcollar 88 of the redundant latch component 76 contacts the flange 46 ofthe quick connect housing 28. Then, as the second tube 24 is received inthe central bore 56 and the annular collar 88 of the redundant latchcomponent 76 is slid toward the distal end 32 of the female segment 44,the redundant latch component 76 is advanced to the locked position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the twist lock retainer 74 of the quickconnect assembly 20 includes at least one locking channel which may be apair of radially opposed locking channels 96 for receiving the firstpair of redundant latch retaining arms 90. The pair of locking channels96 may be defined by locking channel pockets 98 protruding radiallyoutwardly from the twist lock retainer 74. Both the pair of lockingchannels 96 and the respective locking channel pockets 98 may extendfrom the proximal end 80 of the twist lock retainer 74 to the distal end78 of the twist lock retainer 74. The twist lock retainer 74 may alsoinclude at least one guide channel which may be a pair of radiallyopposed guide channels 100 for receiving the second pair of redundantlatch retaining arms 92. The pair of guide channels 100 may be definedby guide channel pockets 102 protruding radially outwardly from thetwist lock retainer 74. Both the pair of guide channels 100 and therespective guide channel pockets 102 may extend from the proximal end 78of the twist lock retainer 74 to the distal end 80 of the twist lockretainer 74.

The twist lock retainer 74 further includes at least one twist lockretaining arm 104 which may be a pair of twist lock retaining arms 104.The pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 may be arrangedperpendicularly to the pair of locking channels 96. The pair of twistlock retaining arms 104 extend radially inwardly of the pair of lockingchannels 96 for engagement with the pair of twist lock retainer armwindows 86 of the female segment 44 of the quick connect housing 28. Thepair of twist lock retaining arms 104 include an outside face 106 and aninside face 108 opposite the outside face 106. As best seen in FIG. 5,the outside face 106 of the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 iscurved radially inwardly to interleavingly engage the first pair ofredundant latch retaining arms 90 as the first pair of redundant latchretaining arms 90 are received in the pair of locking channels 96 andthe redundant latch component 76 is advanced to the locked position. Itshould be appreciated that the interleaving engagement of the twist lockretaining arms 104 and the first pair of redundant latch retaining arms90 provides a redundant locking feature. More particularly, the firstpair of redundant latch retaining arms 90 are sandwiched between thetwist lock retaining arms 104 and the locking channel pockets 98 whenthe redundant latch component 76 is advanced to the locked position,thereby preventing the twist lock retaining arms 104 from retractingradially outwardly and disengaging the twist lock retainer arm windows86 of the female segment 44.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the inside face 108 of the pair of twist lockretaining arms 104 is ramped up in an axial direction to a greaterradial thickness toward the proximal end 34 of the twist lock retainer74. Accordingly, the inside surface of the pair of twist lock retainingarms 104 is ramped up in the direction the second tube 24 is insertedinto the central bore 56 of the female segment 44. Accordingly, theinside face 108 of the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 facilitatesinsertion of the second tube 24 into the central bore 56 of the femalesegment 44 of the quick connect housing 28 and resists subsequentseparation between the second tube 24 and the quick connect housing 28by locking against the bead 26 of the second tube 24.

It should be appreciated that the design of the twist lock retainer 74and the redundant latch component 76 provide a two stage locking quickconnect assembly 20. In the first stage, the second tube 24 is insertedinto the central bore 56 until it hits the outer seal spacer 70. Duringthe first stage, the bead 26 of the second tube 24 presses against thetwist lock retaining arms 104 of the twist lock retainer 74 which extendinto the central bore 56 through the twist lock retainer arm windows 86.The bead 26 of the second tube 24 interacts with the inside face 108 ofthe pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 to push the pair of twist lockretaining arms 104 radially outwardly. As the bead 26 of the second tube24 passes the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 during continuedinsertion into the central bore 56, the pair of twist lock retainingarms 104 snap back down into the central bore 56 through the twist lockretainer arm windows 86 with an audible and/or tactile click. Since thebead 26 of the second tube 24 has passed the ramped up shape of theinside face 108 of the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104, the secondtube 24 is locked in place and the bead 26 of the second tube 24 cannotmove backward against pair of twist lock retaining arms 104. In thesecond stage, the redundant latch component 76 is advanced from theunlocked position to the locked position. This advances the first pairof redundant latch retaining arms 90 into the locking channels 96 tointerleavingly engage the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104. Duringthe second stage, the inwardly ramped ends 94 of the second pair ofredundant latch retaining arms 92 disengage from the second pair ofredundant latch retainer arm windows 84. As the redundant latchcomponent 76 is advanced by pushing axially on the annular collar 88,the inwardly ramped ends 94 of the second pair of redundant latchretaining arms 92 engage the first pair of redundant latch retainer armwindows 82 with an audible and/or tactile click. Advantageously, the twoaudible and/or tactile clicks of this two stage procedure provide anindication that the redundant quick connect assembly 20 has beenproperly installed. This is particularly useful in blind installsituations where the user cannot see the quick connect assembly 20during and/or after the installation procedure.

It should further be appreciated that the redundant latch component 76cannot be advanced to the locked position until the second tube 24 isfully inserted into the central bore 56 such that the bead 26 of thesecond tube 24 is inserted past the at least one twist lock retainingarm 104. Once this occurs, the bead 26 of the second tube 24 applies anupward pressure on the ramped ends 94 of the redundant latch retainingarms 92 allowing the ramped ends 94 to disengage the second pair ofredundant retainer lock windows 84 and advancement of redundant latchcomponent 76 to the locked position. This is advantageous as it ensuresproper installation because the redundant latch component 76 cannot beengaged unless the second tube 24 is properly received in the centralbore 56 of the female segment 44.

The redundant locking quick connect assembly 20 may be unlocked in asimilar two stage procedure. First, the annular collar 88 of redundantlatch component 76 is pulled back from the locked position to theunlocked position where the annular collar 88 of the redundant latchcomponent 76 hits the flange 46 of the quick connect housing 28. Thisdisengages the inwardly ramped ends 94 of the second pair of redundantlatch retaining arms 92 from the first pair of redundant latch retainerarm windows 82 and retracts the first pair of redundant latch retainingarms 90 from interleaving engagement with the pair of twist lockretainer arms 104. Second, the twist lock retainer 74 is rotated todisengage the pair of twist lock retaining arms 104 from the pair oftwist lock retainer arm windows 86. This releases the bead 26 of thesecond tube 24 and allows the second tube 24 to be withdrawn from thecentral bore 56 of the female segment 44.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the redundant latch component 76 mayadditionally include a shoulder 110 extending axially from the annularcollar 88 and protruding radially outwardly from at least one redundantlatch retaining arm of the second pair of redundant latch retaining arms92. The shoulder 110 contacts the guide channel pockets 102 of the twistlock retainer 74 and provides a space between the second pair ofredundant latch retaining arms 92 and the guide channel pockets 102.This space gives the inwardly ramped ends 94 of the second pair ofredundant latch retaining arms 92 room to deflect and disengage thefirst pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 82 and the secondpair of redundant latch retainer arm windows 84. Also, the femalesegment 44 of the quick connect housing 28 may further include at leastone alignment tab 112 protruding outwardly from the exterior surface 52of the female segment 44. At the same time, the twist lock retainer 74may include an anti-rotation pocket 114 extending radially outwardlyfrom the twist lock retainer 74 and axially from the proximal end 34 ofthe twist lock retainer 74. The anti-rotation pocket 114 receives the atleast one alignment tab 112 restricting over rotation of the twist lockretainer 74 relative to the quick connect housing 28 by limitingrotational movement of the at least one alignment tab 112 as the twistlock retainer 74 is being rotated to release the twist lock retainingarms 104. It should be appreciated that the alignment tab 112 and theanti-rotation pocket 114 do not prevent rotation of the twist lockcollar altogether but instead limit the range or extent of such rotationrelative to the quick connect housing 28.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings and may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of theappended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted tocover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises itsutility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to anantecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in thecoverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meantto be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the referencenumerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be readin any way as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A redundant locking quick connect assembly forremovably coupling a first tube and a second tube comprising; a quickconnect housing including a male retention segment for engagement withthe first tube and a female segment extending axially from said maleretention segment and presenting a central bore for receiving the secondtube, a redundant latch component positionable between an unlockedposition and a locked position with said redundant latch component beingin sliding engagement with said female segment, a twist lock retainerdisposed radially outwardly of and surrounding at least a portion ofsaid female segment and at least a portion of said redundant latchcomponent, said female segment including a twist lock retainer armwindow, said redundant latch component including a redundant latchretaining arm extending axially with respect to said female segment,said twist lock retainer including a locking channel for receiving saidredundant latch retaining arm, and said twist lock retainer including atwist lock retaining arm perpendicular to said locking channel andextending radially inwardly of said locking channel to engage said twistlock retainer arm window of said female segment and to provideinterleaving engagement with said redundant latch retaining arm as saidredundant latch retaining arm is received in said locking channel andsaid redundant latch component is advanced to said locked position toprevent release of said twist lock retaining arm from said twist lockretaining window.
 2. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim1 wherein said female segment has a proximal end adjacent said maleretention segment and a distal end opposite said proximal end and saidtwist lock retaining arm includes an inside face being ramped up in anaxial direction to a greater radial thickness toward said proximal endof said female segment to facilitate insertion of the second tube intosaid central bore of said female segment and to resist subsequentseparation between the second tube and said quick connect housing bylocking against a bead of the second tube that extends annularly aboutthe second tube.
 3. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim2 wherein said female segment of said quick connect housing includes afirst redundant latch retainer arm window proximate to said distal endof said female segment.
 4. A redundant locking quick connect assembly ofclaim 3 wherein said female segment of said quick connect housingincludes a second redundant latch retainer arm window axially spacedbetween said first redundant latch retainer arm window and said proximalend of said female segment.
 5. A redundant locking quick connectassembly of claim 4 wherein said redundant latch component includes anannular collar disposed radially about said female segment of saidconnector housing and said redundant latch retaining arm includes aninwardly ramped end opposite said annular collar for sequentialengagement with said second redundant latch retainer arm window todefine said unlocked position and then engagement with said firstredundant latch retainer arm window as the second tube is received insaid central bore and said annular collar of said redundant latchcomponent is slid toward said distal end of said female segment of saidquick connect housing to define said locked position.
 6. A redundantlocking quick connect assembly of claim 5 wherein at least part of saidsecond redundant latch retainer arm window is axially aligned with saidfirst redundant latch retainer arm window.
 7. A redundant locking quickconnect assembly of claim 5 wherein said quick connect housing includesa flange extending annularly from said quick connect housing betweensaid male retention segment and said female segment and said flangeimpacting said annular collar of said redundant latch component to actas a stop as said redundant latch component is placed in said unlockposition.
 8. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 2wherein said female segment of said quick connect housing has a tubularshape with an exterior surface and an interior surface opposite saidexterior surface.
 9. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim8 wherein said interior surface of said female segment defines saidcentral bore and includes a first step portion adjacent said distal endof said female segment and a second step portion adjacent said firststep portion and closer to said proximal end of said female segment anda transition portion adjacent said proximal end of said female segmentwhere said female segment transitions to said male retention segment.10. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 9 wherein saidfirst step portion has a predetermined diameter and said second stepportion has a smaller diameter than said predetermined diameter of saidfirst step portion.
 11. A redundant locking quick connect assembly ofclaim 10 further including; an inner seal disposed in said second stepportion of said central bore proximate to said proximal end of saidfemale segment of said quick connect housing to provide sealingengagement as the second tube is received in said central bore, an innerseal spacer disposed in said second step portion of said central boreadjacent said inner seal and closer to said distal end of said femalesegment than said inner seal, an outer seal disposed in said second stepportion of said central bore adjacent said inner seal spacer and closerto said distal end of said female segment than said inner seal spacer toprovide sealing engagement when the second tube is received in saidcentral bore, and an outer seal spacer disposed in said first stepportion of said central bore including an annular bead protrudingradially outwardly for engagement with said interior surface of saidfemale segment of said quick connect housing.
 12. A redundant lockingquick connect assembly of claim 1 wherein said male retention segment ofsaid quick connect housing has a distal end for insertion into the firsttube and a proximal end opposite said distal end.
 13. A redundantlocking quick connect assembly of claim 12 wherein said male retentionsegment of said quick connect housing has a plurality of annular barbsincluding a pair of sealing barbs proximate to said distal end of saidmale retention segment and at least one retention barb disposed betweento said proximal end of said male retention segment and said pair ofsealing barbs.
 14. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim13 wherein said pair of sealing barbs are axially spaced from oneanother and ramped in opposite directions to present a seal channeltherebetween
 15. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 13wherein said at least one retention barb is ramped up to a greaterradial diameter toward said proximal end of said male retention segmentto facilitate insertion of said male retention segment into the firsttube and to resist subsequent separation between the first tube and saidmale retention segment of said quick connect housing.
 16. A redundantlocking quick connect assembly of claim 14 further including; a barbseal disposed in said seal channel of said male engagement segment toprovide sealing engagement as the first tube is pressed over said maleengagement segment.
 17. A redundant locking quick connect assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said female segment of said quick connect housingincludes at least one alignment tab protruding outwardly from saidfemale segment and said twist lock retainer includes an anti-rotationpocket receiving said at least one alignment tab and limiting overrotation of said twist lock retainer relative to said quick connecthousing by restricting rotational movement of said at least onealignment tab as said twist lock retainer is being rotated to releasesaid twist lock retaining arm.
 18. A redundant locking quick connectassembly for removably coupling a first tube and a second tubecomprising; a quick connect housing including a male retention segmentfor engagement with the first tube and a female segment extendingaxially from said male retention segment and presenting a central borefor receiving the second tube, a redundant latch component positionablebetween an unlocked position and a locked position with said redundantlatch component having an annular collar in sliding engagement with saidfemale segment, a twist lock retainer disposed radially outwardly of andsurrounding at least a portion of said female segment and at least aportion of said redundant latch component, said female segment includinga pair of twist lock retainer arm windows, said redundant latchcomponent including a first pair of redundant latch retaining armsextending axially from said annular collar, said twist lock retainerincluding a pair of locking channels for receiving said first pair ofredundant latch retaining arms, and said twist lock retainer including apair of twist lock retaining arms arranged perpendicularly to said pairof locking channels and extending radially inwardly of said pair oflocking channels to engage said pair of twist lock retainer arm windowsof said female segment and to provide interleaving engagement with saidfirst pair of redundant latch retaining arms as said first pair ofredundant latch retaining arms are received in said pair of lockingchannels and said redundant latch component is advanced to said lockedposition to prevent release of said pair of twist lock retaining armsfrom said pair of twist lock retaining windows.
 19. A redundant lockingquick connect assembly of claim 18 wherein said female segment has aproximal end adjacent said male retention segment and a distal endopposite said proximal end and said pair of twist lock retaining armsinclude an inside face being ramped up in an axial direction to agreater radial thickness toward said proximal end of said female segmentto facilitate insertion of the second tube into said central bore ofsaid female segment and to resist subsequent separation between thesecond tube and said quick connect housing by locking against a bead ofthe second tube that extends annularly about the second tube.
 20. Aredundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 19 wherein said femalesegment of said quick connect housing includes a first pair of redundantlatch retainer arm windows proximate to said distal end of said femalesegment.
 21. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 20wherein said female segment of said quick connect housing includes asecond pair of redundant latch retainer arm windows axially spacedbetween said proximal end of said female segment and said first pair ofredundant latch retainer arm windows.
 22. A redundant locking quickconnect assembly of claim 21 wherein said redundant latch componentincludes a second pair of redundant latch retaining arms extendingaxially from said annular collar with said second pair of redundantlatch retaining arms being circumferentially spaced from said first pairof redundant latch retaining arms.
 23. A redundant locking quick connectassembly of claim 22 wherein said first pair of redundant latchretaining arms are radially opposed from one another and said secondpair of redundant latch retaining arms are radially opposed from oneanother.
 24. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 21wherein said second pair of redundant latch retaining arms includeinwardly ramped ends opposite said annular collar for sequentialengagement with said second pair of redundant latch retainer arm windowsto define said unlocked position and engagement with said first pair ofredundant latch retainer arm windows as the second tube is received insaid central bore and said annular collar of said redundant latchcomponent is slid toward said distal end of said female segment todefine said locked position.
 25. A redundant locking quick connectassembly of claim 24 wherein at least part of said second redundantlatch retainer arm windows are axially aligned with said first redundantlatch retainer arm windows.
 26. A redundant locking quick connectassembly of claim 25 wherein said pair of twist lock retainer armwindows are circumferentially spaced from said first pair of redundantretainer lock windows and said second pair of redundant retainer lockwindows.
 27. A redundant locking quick connect assembly of claim 26wherein said female segment of said quick connect housing includes atleast one alignment tab protruding outwardly from said female segmentand said twist lock retainer includes an anti-rotation pocket receivingsaid at least one alignment tab and limiting over rotation of said twistlock retainer relative to said quick connect housing by restrictingrotational movement of said at least one alignment tab as said twistlock retainer is being rotated to release said pair of twist lockretaining arms.
 28. A locking quick connect assembly comprising; a quickconnect housing including a male retention segment for engagement with afirst tube and a female segment extending axially from said maleretention segment and presenting a central bore for receiving a secondtube having a bead extending annularly about the second tube, saidfemale segment having a proximal end adjacent said male retentionsegment and a distal end opposite said proximal end, a twist lockretainer disposed radially outwardly of and surrounding at least aportion of said female segment, said female segment including a twistlock retainer arm window extending entirely through said female segment,said twist lock retainer including at least one twist lock retaining armextending circumferentially and radially inwardly with respect to saidtwist lock retainer to engage said twist lock retainer arm window ofsaid female segment, and said at least one twist lock retaining armincluding an inside face being ramped up in an axial direction to agreater radial thickness toward said proximal end of said female segmentto facilitate insertion of the second tube into said central cavity ofsaid female segment and to resist subsequent separation between thesecond tube and said quick connect housing by locking against the beadof the second tube.
 29. A locking quick connect assembly of claim 28wherein said at least one twist lock retaining arm is a pair of twistlock retaining arms that are radially opposed from one another.
 30. Alocking quick connect assembly of claim 28 wherein said female segmentof said quick connect housing includes at least one alignment tabprotruding outwardly from said female segment and said twist lockretainer includes an anti-rotation pocket receiving said at least onealignment tab and limiting over rotation of said twist lock retainerrelative to said quick connect housing by restricting rotationalmovement of said at least one alignment tab as said twist lock retaineris being rotated to release said at least one twist lock retaining arm.31. A locking quick connect assembly of claim 28 wherein said femalesegment of said quick connect housing has a tubular shape with anexterior surface and an interior surface opposite said exterior surface.32. A locking quick connect assembly of claim 31 wherein said interiorsurface of said female segment defines said central bore and includes afirst step portion adjacent said distal end of said female segment and asecond step portion adjacent said first step portion and closer to saidproximal end of said female segment and a transition portion adjacentsaid proximal end of said female segment where said female segmenttransitions to said male retention segment.
 33. A locking quick connectassembly of claim 32 wherein said first step portion has a predetermineddiameter and said second step portion has a smaller diameter than saidpredetermined diameter of said first step portion.
 34. A locking quickconnect assembly of claim 33 further including; an inner seal disposedin said second step portion of said central bore proximate to saidproximal end of said female segment of said quick connect housing toprovide sealing engagement as the second tube is received in saidcentral bore, an inner seal spacer disposed in said second step portionof said central bore adjacent said inner seal and closer to said distalend of said female segment than said inner seal, an outer seal disposedin said second step portion of said central bore adjacent said innerseal spacer and closer to said distal end of said female segment thansaid inner seal spacer to provide sealing engagement when the secondtube is received in said central bore, and an outer seal spacer disposedin said first step portion of said central bore including an annularbead protruding radially outwardly for engagement with said interiorsurface of said female segment of said quick connect housing.
 35. Alocking quick connect assembly of claim 28 wherein said male retentionsegment of said quick connect housing has a distal end for insertioninto the first tube and a proximal end opposite said distal end.
 36. Alocking quick connect assembly of claim 35 wherein said male retentionsegment of said quick connect housing has a plurality of annular barbsincluding a pair of sealing barbs proximate to said distal end of saidmale retention segment and at least one retention barb disposed betweensaid proximal end of said male retention segment and said pair ofsealing barbs.
 37. A locking quick connect assembly of claim 36 whereinsaid pair of sealing barbs are axially spaced from one another andramped in opposite directions to present a seal channel therebetween 38.A locking quick connect assembly of claim 36 wherein said at least oneretention barb is ramped up to a greater radial diameter toward saidproximal end of said male retention segment to facilitate insertion ofsaid male retention segment into the first tube and to resist subsequentseparation between the first tube and said male retention segment ofsaid quick connect housing.
 39. A locking quick connect assembly ofclaim 37 further including; a barb seal disposed in said seal channel ofsaid male engagement segment to provide sealing engagement as the firsttube is pressed over said male engagement segment.
 40. A locking quickconnect assembly of claim 28 wherein said quick connect housing includesa flange extending annularly from said quick connect housing betweensaid male retention segment and said female segment.